Total Eclipse
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Timbucktu
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The city was dead quiet, the only noise filtering down from above and between the fire-scorched marble pillars and rooftops was a stale, dank wind. The air was bogged down by the horrific stench of deceased fires and the cold of high altitude air. Unmanaged, some of the clouds supporting the buildings had crumbled under their wounds and began to falter. Silence was interrupted, at first by the steady clip-clop of hooves on paving stones and then by the groaning roar of a fractured cloud breaking up, the pillared structure atop it crumbling as it tore itself in two and plummeted to the ground.
The figure walked down what had once been the main street, practically able to see what once was. Bustles of happy pegasus ponies and visitors going about their businesses. Selling, eating, flying along; and talking to one another about mundane affairs while their city drifted along. It was a sobering thought, to not see this ghost town when it was so full of life. Nothing was where it should have been. Lamp posts had been torn down or thrown about, scattering their now dead coals across the ground. Personal artifacts of worth were uprooted even if they were affixed down, weapons and armor from the battle looted while those broken in battle were embedded in the street or walls. Anything seen as worthless was discarded. She saw them all as she walked past, almost speculating as to whom they once belonged to. A pair of broken spectacles, from a jeweler who didn’t fly fast enough. A spoiled dinner for two that had spilled out over the street, untouched, by a couple who refused to leave one another. A broken spear rolling back and forth in the breeze, by a soldier who was outnumbered.
Her hoofsteps stopped and she stared at what was before her. The silvery moonlight lit up the drained husk of a city. Her legs shook and she fell upon them, falling to her knees with widening eyes. It was her. She held it up closer to confirm it, hooves beginning to rattle. It was a tiny toy of a white alicorn with a pink mane, so small and simple it was clearly meant for a young foal. Yet Celestia heard no foals, she heard no pony. And she didn’t have the heart to look at the shadowed patches of the city to see what dried husks were left.
In her mind, this was her fault.
Celestia began to tremble, the rising moon drowning her in moonbeams. She looked to the visage of an alicorn embossed upon the moon, a new feature those in the city must have been confused by in their last months.
In her mind, that was her fault.
She could sense it now. The dark magic coming from Trot even though it was kilometers away. They were fighting it now. If they died, it would be her fault.
Lips which hadn’t spoken in months quivered. Eyes which hadn’t gone a day without crying shut. Tirek was imprisoned. Sombra was gone. Discord was entombed. The world was supposed to have gotten better, but it didn’t. Celestia felt the world clamp down on her. When she lost Amore and the Crystal Ponies, she’d felt it close in. When she lost her home, she felt it grab her. And when she lost her sister, she felt it crush down upon her after she’d torn part of herself away and sent her to the moon.
She was weak and cursed herself for it. She was too weak to save the Empire. She was too oblivious to help Luna. She was too inept to try and find a way to save Nightmare Moon. And her weakness had rendered her mute and a burden upon all those around her while scaring all those beyond Canterlot Castle’s walls. Leaving was an appealing thought, just about the only one she had. So many would be better off with her gone that it seemed like the best choice. But, leaving would just mean leaving them to the same lustful terror that strickened them now. She didn’t know what to pick and that left her mind spiraling even more.
Stay, shake off the weakness, and assume more control? She’d vindicate fears.
Leave, let others stop wasting time worrying for her? She’d only abandon those who’d need her.
She wasn’t a normal pony, but she was expected to have the morals of one.
She wasn’t a normal pony, because nopony treated her like one. They saw only a creature masquerading as one or a beaten flower who needed to be tended to.
Celestia knew any decision presented was one she had to make herself, but a part of her mind only reminded her of how weak she’d been this time. And this decision was an adult one and she wasn’t one. She just looked like one. The young alicorn clutched the toy to her regalia-less chest, gritting her teeth as she tried and failed to hold in a sob.
But she was too weak to even do that.
======
Earlier
======
Celestia gasped, choking on her own breath. Her shut vision focused on the source of the burning pulses, the spirals upon her horn. Gritting her jaw the alicorn nearly stumbled over as another wave of magic burst out of her in tandem with her heartbeat. The telekinesis rattled the chamber like an earthquake with several tiles cracking under her hooves. The young alicorn winced, hanging on to another pulse of magic and practically shoving it back into her horn. It gave her a splitting migraine of a headache upon her success. Celestia finally breathed out, panting and dropping to one knee while looking at the room around her with saddened eyes. The bed Princess Platinum had so generously given her was blown to bits, the wooden frame cracked open and the sheets burned or knocked across the room. The windows were all cracked into the frames, dressers knocked over; and a table was currently lodged in the ceiling. It had been two months since Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna’s manic new persona, had been banished. The Everfree Castle had been torn apart during the conflict and Celestia, who’d been an emotional and physical wreck since then, couldn’t bear to return to the place that had been home. Princess Platinum, an old friend of Celestia, had moved her to stay in Canterlot with her. Near everypony that knew Celestia had been trying to help her.
Smart Cookie and Puddinghead baked her hordes of her favorite sweets that largely went uneaten or didn’t stay down.
Commander Hurricane and Colonel Pansy took time off from Timbucktu to see to it personally that the days be clear and the moon be blocked out by overcast at night.
Clover frequently dropped in to reread the alicorn many of her favorite stories, and Princess Platinum completely dropped her usual haughtiness to make sure Celestia always had a soft bed and plenty of quiet.
So far, Celestia’s out of control magic had cost Platinum seven rooms. Starswirl, whom hadn’t left a two kilometer radius around Celestia all this time, hypothesized her magic was in flux due to using the Elements of Harmony all by herself against the other bearer. Not only had the whiplash severed her connection to them, turning them to stone, but the blowback had visibly affected her as indicative of how her once gold and pink mane was stained with the same rainbow that banished her sister. The fact she was now away from her sister for the first time in her life wasn’t doing any favors based off how the two’s power played off each other. So far the only thing Celestia had managed to will herself to do was raise the sun and, with effort that was either magically or emotionally based, struggle to shift the moon.
Waiting for the rumbling to finally subside, the mare outside the door finally cracked it open; though she had to shove an overturned chair out of the way. Princess Platinum poked her head through, frowning solemnly before entering.
“I’ll call the staff up for repair. You can change rooms again.”
The unicorn muttered, sighing and putting on a slightly pleasant demeanor while trotting up to her old friend with a tray of pastries and tea. Celestia slowly lifted her head up to look at her friend as the unicorn sat beside her. Platinum sighed, cooing softly while holding Celestia’s muzzle and dabbing her cheek with a napkin. The once regal alicorn looked like a wreck. The magic bursts had singed her fur in a few places, dirtying the white with black blotches. Celestia’s eyes were puffy, half bloodshot, and the patches beneath them showed both she hadn’t been sleeping well and had been crying frequently again. Devoid of her regalia, Princess Celestia looked anything but royal right now. A younger Platinum would have jeered and held her nose at such a sight, but the years had matured the unicorn leader. She only finished wiping the smudges and tears off Celestia’s face before hugging the alicorn gently around the neck. She could feel a shaking hoof wrap around her shoulders and meekly return the gesture, earning a smile as she broke away.
“Now, feel like talking yet? Smart Cookie wants to know if you like the new recipe.”
Princess Celestia stared at tray of delicious looking foods. She opened her mouth and for a moment Platinum almost thought she was about to speak. Despite worries to the contrary, Starswirl had assured them he heard her speak and the Element backlash or trauma hadn’t rendered her mute. But aside from half whispered, mostly incomprehensible speech in her sleep, no one had heard the young mare say a single word since her arrival to Canterlot. Shrugging, Platinum pulled out a newsprint from her cloak and flipped through it.
“I see. It’s okay. You can talk when you want. Wanna see the news from the east? Setting up a lovely port city called Manehattan. Your old friend King Leo and the Seaponies are-”
Platinum felt the newspaper get stiff in her grip. Looking at it’s edges she could see the telltale sign of a magical aura freezing it in place. Celestia, eyes locked on the paper, held it in her golden telekinesis and turned the page back around. Upon its title card was inscribed a single piece.
“Lower Canterlot Music Trials to be Redone after “Siren” Interference.”
Celestia forced the page to her muzzle, despite the wide eyed Platinum’s attempts to snatch it away once she realized what gears were working in the alicorn’s head. Celestia speed-read through the whole article in a span of seconds. Three beings resembling mermares, called Sirens, had come to Canterlot. They’d been hexing crowds at a music competition for days, feeding off the populace’s magic until Starswirl had stepped in. After a few days of trial, he managed to use what Celestia immediately recognized based off the description as one of the warp mirrors he and she had designed. But it wasn’t Starswirl’s victory that left Celestia shaking. It was his struggle and the fact she hadn’t known of it.
Shaking all over, Celestia looked to Platinum with a clearly stressed and likely a bit agitated look crossing her twitching face. The air around them began to heat up and Platinum swore she could have seen smoke coming out of Celestia’s mane. Celestia sucked in her breath, closed her eyes, and counted to twenty at least twice. In her blurred mind she wasn’t quite sure how long it been. Taking the newspaper, she pulled it over to herself and nudged the pastry tray over to Platinum; silently apologizing the best she could. Despite her roaring stomach and how much it plagued her conscience knowing the effort Smart Cookie must have gone to making the set and Platinum’s kindness to bring it to her, there was far more important matters at mind.
Before any other second could tick by, Celestia teleported out of the room and reappeared in the portion of the library converted into Starswirl’s study. The unicorn, clad in his trademark bell-bearing hat atop his gray mane and fur, had his back to where Celestia had materialized. Working on some notes he was writing down with a particular magical portal mirror beside him, the old stallion need not turn his head to know whom had visited him. Starswirl the Bearded paused, letting out a tired sigh.
“Thought this would occur soon enough. I take it you found out about the sirens? You should know the issue was dealt with.”
The newspaper was thrown onto the desk to his side, flopping open to the page in question though the edges of which looked slightly blackened and burnt. Starswirl adjusted his reading glasses, shrugging and turning around. He expected Celestia to appear livid, maybe even furious he’d kept such information from her, both by his own accord and by his own demand to the council. Instead he could only glimpse a broken, frowning face when the white alicorn rushed into and pulled the much smaller stallion into a tight hug. He knew something was wrong with her magic, she was practically burning hot to the touch and her tears on his shoulder felt like they’d come from a steaming tea kettle. Swallowing back the heat, Starswirl sighed and gently patted at the alicorn’s back.
“I know… I know, you’d have wanted to know. But Princes-... Tia, listen to me.”
Starswirl pushed back and looked up to the alicorn as she slowly craned her head around to look upon him.
“You are very sick right now. A sickness in here-”
He muttered, gently tapping at the alicorn’s forehead where it met the base of her horn. He then did the same on her chest, just above where her heart was.
“-and here. Nopony blames you for it. You aren’t sleeping enough, you’re not eating enough. Pah, your magic is so out of control I can’t find nor craft an inhibitor horn ring strong enough to contain it. But most of all, I know you’re grieving… I miss her too and I know this-…”
His words momentarily died and the old stallion closed his eyes on contemplation before resuming with saddened breath.
“-this is going to be an adjustment period for all of us. And while you do the most adjusting, I went and took care of a problem before it became a big one. The sirens were potent, but not outright malevolent. If I felt they were so I’d have gotten help, you don’t need to worry about me.”
Celestia’s eyes and jaw quivered while she looked upon the closest thing she had to a father in this world. Some of his words sunk in, but others just bounced off. Be it from actual biology or the sourness of the subject, her eyes were left gaping at how old he looked. The whitening of his beard, the lines in his face, bags of skin forming at his eyes and joints, and the muting of the color within his eyes; they all made him look ancient. Her mind buzzed with thought of this physically poor old stallion having to deal with what she had for the past few years.
-Those sirens could have been far worse than he could have anticipated, especially if he had to use the mirror! What if he lost? What if the mirror didn’t work? What if he got hurt?!-
Celestia quickly averted her eyes to the window overlooking the city beyond.
-What if anypony out there got hurt?! Hurt because I’ve been wallowing in myself and can’t stop?! Hurt because I’m being so weak?! What if-!...-
“Sorry, excuse me?”
A voice piped up from the hall. Starswirl diverted his attention from the thousand-yard staring Celestia and to the newcomer, a youthful but still mature pegasus mare with a blue mane and burnt gold coat. The Hurricane guard, a captain based off her rank, saluted until Starswirl nodded to her.
“Ah, Captain- Ardent Sentry was it? To what do I owe your visit to?”
“S-Summon by the council, Sir. There’s been an ordeal they request your presence in.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Starswirl muttered, nodding the captain to get her to stop saluting. Adjusting his hat, Starswirl glanced over to Celestia, whom still had her back turned to door, and reached out to her. He seemed like he was about to say something in the same old authority the alicorn knew since she was a toddler, but no word came from his opened mouth. Expression softening, he just gently patted her on the shoulders and walked by. As he passed by the young captain however, he let a tiny whisper peak out his lips.
“Try not to let her leave the room and don’t tell her. I’ll be back when this is done.”
As Starswirl left, Captain Ardent Sentry looked back at the alicorn and was instantly frozen in her tracks. Princess Celestia had silently looked back and was staring directly at her. The alicorn slowly got up to her hooves and paced over to the mare she towered over despite being half her age. Despite the princess’ typically pleasant appearance, her raggedness, imposing stature, piercing and unblinking eyes; along with her seeming to be looking through her as much she was at her left caused Ardent Sentry’s pulse to chill. She might have been the wedlock daughter of a tavern mare, but she was a soldier. And as a soldier she would recollect the look Celestia gave her for years to come. Though she’d never state it verbally, out of respect when Celestia was acting like herself and out of fear for how she was now; the alicorn looked terrifying.
Ardent Sentry’s eyes widened and sweat rolled down her face when the realization hit her.
-Ooooh buck, she heard him.-
“P-Princess-”
Ardent Sentry stammered, internal panic increasing more so when Celestia very slowly tilted her head at her with a stoic, uncanny look on her face.
“-There have been certain, developments. I can see that you... might have, maybe, been kept out of the loop. Starswirl and the council must have wanted you to recover before you knew. It was for your own safety and good. Sooo, let’s… let’s just calm down and stay here. Yooou like reading? Lots of stuff in this study.”
Having briefly looked away to find something, anything to distract the alicorn, Ardent Sentry had to feel Celestia’s eyes no longer upon her to realize something else had the princess’ attention. Celestia stepped away from the guardsmare, looking out through a window at the city below. Down the hall, the shouting voice of Starswirl the Bearded could be overheard roaring to several other guards about the object of Celestia’s attention.
“She’s out of her room, she can’t see this! Disperse them in haste, go go go!”
Multiple guards both from Commander Hurricane’s entourage filed past the room in a speedy march. Celestia tilted her head at the crowd accumulating in the townsquare just outside the castle’s large gate. Before Captain Sentry could do anything, be it join her fellow guards or try and distract Celestia; the latter disappeared in a burst of light as she teleported out of the library.
=======================
“History is written by the victors, but I say unto you, truth is found by those who seek it! Open your eyes my little ponies, evil was not vanquished that fateful night in the Everfree but freedom was quashed!”
The booming tone belted out across the sizable crowd of both curious onlookers and avid supporters, some in the former category slowly being worked into the cheering latter. Banners with various lunar symbols were strewn about, some held aloft on standards and some thrown onto the front gates leading to the castle in a form of protest. The speaker was a bat-winged stallion named Knight Shroud, grey-azure fur coat with a dull purple mane kept back in a ponytail. Many other ponies in the crowd were also of Luna's affinity, either also sporting bat wings and or of a similar coloration, evidently from dye potions some were passing such around.
“We know of an attack shortly after Celestia confronted Princess Luna, we know how Princess Luna evidently had been distraught by her treatment as of late; and we know this encounter ended in anything but a sisterly communion. It ended in that!”
Knight Shroud shouted, pointing a hoof up to the night sky and directly at the emblem of an alicorn embossed onto the moon.
“Banishment!”
He sneered.
“Banishment of her own baby sister! And what has the usurper said for herself? NOTHING! Oh yes, others have spoken for her. Officials who arrived after the fact, someponies who claim they saw signs of the battle from a distance. Tell me, my dear little ponies, whom among them could possibly speak against someone who could do that-”
He punctuated his word with another gesture towards the moon.
“-to an Element Bearer, to an alicorn who was strong enough to fight dragons and all the other heinous beasts in and outside of our dreams? Give me one valid reason we shouldn’t think they’d be what we all are of Celestia, terrified!”
Some of those not won over in the crowd were slowly mulling through their thoughts. Some curiosity seekers groaned, shrugged off the words and went back to their evening business. Others however, slowly started to nod subtly at what was making logical sense.
“All I ask is you question everything. Follow what the dreams tell you because one’s subconscious doesn’t lie! We know next to nothing about the being sitting in that castle. We don’t know where she came from, we don’t know why she and Princess Luna fought, we don’t see her offering any clarity. What we do know is she was strong enough to cow a dragon by shouting at it, that she’s aged at a rapid rate, that some think she may be immortal; and that the one being left in our beloved realm who could oppose her is now out of the picture after they fought... “
Knight Shroud shrugged, shaking his head slowly while motioning to the castle behind him.
“My little ponies, something like that does not sound like you or I. Something like that sounds like something I personally wouldn’t trust in any seat of power. Not until we have the full picture. And if those in charge insist she stand amongst them without public review, well… Maybe a rising night, might be needed. We need unity to truth, not blind acceptance of word.”
It was at that moment Knight Shroud and near everypony else was momentarily blinded by a flash of light shooting off in the middle of the crowd. In an instant it ceased and there was an uproar of gasps. Celestia stood at the front row in the middle portion of the audience, slowly swaying her head to and fro to take in everything around her. Ponies were left agape, many quickly backing up or fidgeting as they indecisively tried to pick between turning tail and fleeing or bowing. Many of the bat ponies and those colored like them were tensing up, eyes wide with surprise and fear. Some cautiously put their hooves over a sheathed weapon, mentally debating if it would do any good. Celestia herself was still as roughed up as she looked before, puffy eyes, stoic expression, and lack of regalia making her look almost as much unlike herself as her flowing, rainbow hued mane did. Casting her view to the front of the crowd, she slowly approached Knight Shroud. One could hear a pin drop as the slow clip-clop of her hooves on the cobblestone was the only noise on the street aside from hushed whispers.
“Is that.. Celestia?”
“What happened to her mane?”
“The tyrant is here?!”
“Oh Faust, no.“
“I think we need to run!”
Celestia heard them all, unflinching as she strode up to the stallion who admittedly was showing remarkable courage in not budging from his spot despite how scared he was. Celestia stopped directly before him and a breeze blew by as their eyes locked. Knight Shroud steeled himself, old military training, nerves, and dedication to a cause holding him together even under the piercing look in the alicorn’s eyes.
“Yes, I am afraid of you… So are they.”
He muttered, not even opting to try and lie.
“I want to believe the best. You’re not one of us, but talk in a way we can understand….”
Holding his breath, Knight Shroud narrowed his eyes, raising up as much as he could even if the alicorn was still easily twice his height.
“Why?”
Celestia knew the words he was going to speak even before he did. It was one she’d begged the Elements of Harmony, begged herself, many times before. She saw the Mare in the Moon reflecting in Knight Shroud’s eyes and tensed up slightly.
“Why did you banish your own sister? If she really attacked you, why couldn’t you have done a thousand different things to stop her? And if she didn’t tell the truth.”
Celestia’s body trembled from hooves to horn. The burning headache returned and struck her like a punch from Tirek. The air began to heat up all around her, Knight Shroud managing to hold his ground against the searing air currents coming off her. Many in the crowd shouted for him to get back, someponies grabbing others to flee while other bolder ponies actually charged the alicorn they were sure was about to smite their friend.
“What are you, and why are you here?”
Celestia’s face briefly contorted into an agonizing frown, the world itself feeling like it was crushing in on her. And to avoid being crushed, she pushed back…
When Commander Hurricane’s forces arrived what they found was the street turned inside out by what looked like a massive blastwave. Most onlookers were too scared to speak. Knight Shroud, while alive, was concussed from the same wave having apparently thrown him through a fruit stand.
===========================
Earlier in the day, at the border
===========================
Timbucktu, the jewel of the skies. In the modern day the city would be virtually legendary to pegasi and other ponykind alike. This was the place the pegasi called their capital before the unification, a megalithic city built onto clouds and the first of it’s kind. While the military held the most power in their race, hence why Commander Hurricane went out to establish new lands; their original rule was technically an oligarchy. The chief commander in charge of the flight teams and military, and a king acting as the ceremonial and civic ruler of the city and it’s domain. With the unification of the races, the decision to move Timbucktu to the new realm was one long debated, especially after the chaos of a year prior at Equestria and the Crystal Empire. But now that things had died down, it was a decision that was well received. The Equestrian land claim was filled with workable airspace and while Timbucktu would be the grandest and first of the sky cities, King Orion was already planning on making sure it wasn’t the only one. And with now two more pony races for clients and his old friend Grover having unified Gryphonstone, it seemed Timbucktu’s economic future in trade and industry was more than assured between the pegasi, unicorn, earth ponies; and some gryphon trade. With Hurricane finally off his literal high horse and shutting off the embargo, there was plenty of new expansions to make, ponies to experience the Timbucktu hoofdiwork; and the capital would be as rich as their sparkly jewel-like eyes were!
But, despite much of their ambition, it wouldn’t just be the sparkling eyes, expansive palace, military, or Romane architectural wonders Timbucktu would go down in history for. The true claim to the pegasi capital’s legendary status would arrive not in flocking riches or a thriving populace, but how all of that would leave on insectoid wings when a changeling horde burst out of the forest below and came upon the city in a buzzing, dark cloud. All across Timbucktu, screams of panic and confusion rang out. A green inferno of dark magic fire scorched the polished marble and limestone. Changelings were chasing any civilians they encountered while they overwhelmed the remaining military who’d stayed behind after Hurricane’s leave, the insectoid monstrosities smashing through the clouds and morphing into duplicates of the populace to throw the defenders off guard. A tall, powerful form watched the mayhem with laughing applause. A hissing chuckle spewed out of lips curling into an evil smile once eyes locked on to King Orion and his guard joining the fray to protect a fleeing crowd. The last remaining student of Grogar, the dark magical embodiment of lust, Chrysalis; looked upon the monarch with with hungry eyes. Green fire flashed across her form as she took the visage of one guard and flew in close.
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Wow, this chapter was heavy. It seems Celestia is dealing with PTSD and having a guilt complex about how her PTSD condition affected her subjects and made Startswirl face unnecessary risks like facing the Sirens by himself. It was nice to meet Ardent Sentry as she seems to be a friendly gal despite her legendary status, thought it might be possible that she hasn't become legendary yet. Celestia's scene with Luna's subjects was heartbreaking as she seems to feel isolated by their paranoia and Knight Shroud's accusations accidentally pushed her unstable magic, which won't make her popular with her subjects or alleviate her guilt. The fact that the story will cover Chrysalis' exploits on Timbucktu and Trot hint that Celestia will overcome her problems during the latter incident. Overall, this story is great and is a good way to wait for chapter 35. Hope the next chapter for both this story and chapter 35 come soon. Also, you get a fav.
I haven't read it yet but don't you already have that other short story project(shimmer in the dark) that could use an update?
7907392
Ah, excellent first comment and a good sign my binge writing doesn't result in crap
This was a piece of backstory I felt worked great as a 2 or 3 parter, Princess Celestia is a character very much needing backstory and the implications we got from canon are amazing stuff to work with.
Poor Tia is having the lowest time of her life right now. She's very young (she might look fully grown, but she's less than 12 at absolute most here), but her world had been turned upside down. Both from the trauma and guilt about Luna and the fact she's away from her sister for the first time in her life. Without Luna around and lacking the experience modern day Celestia has, our little Tia has out of control magic, is scared, traumatized, and extremely confused. And it's just one bad thing after another taking advantage of the situation right now. All great heroes and heroines have their low point, often when they are young and confused. This is Tia's.
Also, yep that's Flash and Stalwart Sentry's ancestor, Ardent. This is before she's proven herself though as she actually pre-dates the modern Canterlot Royal Guard. As a pegasus she's part of Commander Hurricane's forces.
7907407
I'm still writing the chapter, I post stuff when it's done
Besides this will only be a two, MAYBE three parter. Shimmer in the Dark's next part is the finale or pre-finale. It's gonna be much longer.
Excellent! I really love how you expand on canon elements that are only lightly touched upon in the series itself. As someone who tries to find all of the points of interest among the series lore (be it from the show, comics, or chapter books), I really appreciate that kind of attention to detail. ^_^
7907418 I've finished and while there's nothing wrong with it(i actually like it), it doesn't fully sate my hunger for chapter 35.
7907480
Which is why this is the appetizer/canon booster. 35 extremely close to release (waiting on one last picture)
7907451
Here here my friend! Always did love the small snippets of lore we get in the canon where the characters in-series might know what it is, but we're left to fill in the voids.
7907482 hmm I'm curious, how would history change if DesGhidorah was still alive and kicking?
Awesome chapter man
Pre-reading:
A new side-story? Ok, Interesting... Just got home form watching the Royal Rumble, hopefully this read can lift my spirits.
Question now that King Caesar has been brought to Equestria's Past by Harmony, will he by chance be involved somehow
7907697
I too am curious about that. It seems like Caesar should be involved during this
7907697
7907717
Sorry to get any hopes up, but no. This is a Tia focused story based entirely in Equestria. Caesar won't be appearing, as indicated by lack of crossover tags. I do plan to get to Caesar's story this year, now that the backstory of 1,000 years back is fleshed out and we'll find out more about him in the main story soon enough. This is the aftermath of the events Caesar was involved in. The theme in this story though is loneliness since Tia is by herself in some of these issues, needing to figure things out herself.
Besides, he's kinda stuck at the moment holding something very important. He didn't get out of range in time and he's got to stay still to protect it.
Celestia's plight makes me sad, so very sad. But it will be worth it to see her rise into the ruler she was meant to be.
Knight Shroud kinda reminds me of the superhero critics from both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Extended universe.
Again, I love how you use nearly everything in canon and manage to make it fit.
Reading between the lines, it seems to me that Celestia has Chrysalis to thank for giving her the push needed to cope with her depression over Luna's banishment.
I do wonder, though... when did the prophesy of The Mare in the Moon come to be known? That is to say, does Celestia believe she will never see her sister again at this point, or does the knowledge of how long it will be merely add to her pain at this point?
7907722 Shit, oh well hope it will be very soon he'll appear
Tarb, my dear friend, you've done it again. You've captured all the emotions here perfectly and really illustrated the effect that this banishment had on Celestia's psyche. I myself am planning on doing a story about the Shimmerverse's take and I hope to be as good as this story. Still, I hope that blast won't get her down too much. It wasn't her fault, intentionally of course.
7907815 Now this is just me spitballing here, but given what we've seen in the show, it's very much possible that Celestia can have visions of the future, something similar to the Eldar of Warhammer 40k. They can see the future but it can still change down the line. {Which is funny since Celestia's voice actress was an Eldar Farseer.}
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Oh, okay. Just curious
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So, has she seen the return, or will she see it? That was my question.
*Looks at story* it was the best of times, it was the blurst of times
As a long time fan of the MLP series, and of Celestia herself, this was a chapter that I've been so longing to see and read, and Tarb, you've certainly done it justice! Celestia is a character that even after 4 movies and 6 freakin' SEASONS, no writer on the staff has had the gusto to talk about Celestia's past or her struggles to become the Alicorn Sister we know, love, respect, and would gladly want to be ruled under. I get that the writer's want to portray Celestia as infallible, creating an image and ideal of perfection personified by a Princess, but that only seems to distance us from a character we want to know and love.
Many religious figures of our own world that have had the greatest influences were portrayed not as supernatural entities, but rather ordinary humans who struggled and persevered under stress (such as Buddha and the big J himself), and their humanity doesn't diminish their accomplishments, but draws us closer to them, because WE also struggle, and as an audience, we need to see that to grow closer to Celestia.
The phrase, "True strength is not by the measure of never failing, but rising every time we fall" has never been more relevant to Celestia and establishing her as a character. By making her more flawed, it allows us to connect with her on a personal level, and I for one am looking forward to Celestia's accomplishments in these chapters ahead. Thank you so much for including this in The Bridge Tarb. You make me want to reach out and hug Celestia for all she's suffered.
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*Squeee!*
OK!
So I started to read this last night, but I got real tired and bleary eyed, so I was like: "Yeah.... This ain't happening."
Picking it up again in the morning now, I find myself a nice little read.
Tarb has shown us before, the night when Celestia banished Nightmare Moon to the ...moon, so this takes place shortly after those events. I really like seeing Celestia taken out of her element as the calm, wise, benevolent ruler, and put into a position to see her humanity(you know what I mean). And that's not because I dislike her, or think she's OP, it's precisely because I like her and want to see more of her.
It strikes me that I had a very different opinion about Rarity in the last Bridge chapter. I think it's because we know how things turn out for Celestia. I may have to think on this more, why I enjoy seeing Celestia at a low, and not Rarity. Hmm, maybe it's the particular incitement?
Any way, it begins with Celestia moving through a decimated city street, and at first we might have the impression that this was caused by some kind of conflict. We are notified before hand that Chrysalis is a part of this side-story, since her button is listed, so my first thought was that this was the ravages of a changeling attack.
Chrysalis is a superb foil for Celestia, they being both heads of their respective states, and somewhat inversions of the other. the Queen of the Hive is a much better opposite for Celestia I think, than for Cadence. I would actually put a worthy opposite for Cadence down as pre-reform Sunset Shimmah.
However, we are thrown sideways when the princess blames herself for the destruction. Why that is, we'll just have to find out as we skip back to an earlier time.
Devastated by the loss of her sister, strained by the effects of wielding all six Elements of Harmony against the other bearer, and suffering from the general stress of being who she is, we find Celestia distraught in a room at Canterlot that she has ruined. Apparently, this has become a pattern of behavior with her, and the good graces of Princess Platinum and the other founders of Equestria keep her afloat.
We are treated to appearances by the legendary Unicorn herself, and certain members of the other founder's staff. The pegasus Ardent Sentry is on loan from Commander Hurricane, and some treats from the notable Earth Pony, Smart Cookie are offered.
Almost accidentally (Or perhaps not) Celestia spies the headline about her mentor Star-Swirl defeating a trio of troublesome Sirens recently, and this prompts an immediate reaction from her. She teleports to see him, and instead of being wroth at him keeping the news from her, she's just glad that he's unharmed. For more plain reasons, she views him as something of a father figure, at this stage, a kindly, wise old pony who guides her through tumultuous and prosperous times.
The loss of Luna has effected them both, but with Celestia being much less emotionally mature than her body lets on, it takes a particular toll on her. And the wisdom and presence of Starswirl seemingly helps to soothe her somewhat. The arrival of the pegasus guardsmare Ardent Sentry interrupts this tender moment, when she pulls aside the Bearded to inform him of some goings-on in the town. This upsets the mage, and he tasks her to keep Celestia company, and more importantly occupied, while he deals with it.
We get a brief experience of Ardent being a friendly, likeable character, an early ancestor of the more renown Stalwart Sentry, and the contentiously considered, Flash Sentry.
WE next find our narrative in the public square, where a bat pony has climbed onto his soap-box to speak to his fellow denizens about his concerns regarding the recently reticent princess of Equestria. His speech gives us some exposition to tell us how things have gone around there, giving us some context for events.
The fight with Nightmare Moon has happened shortly ago, as we know already, so there's still a lot of hot debate about what the Tartarus is going on in the high seats of power.
Now, I don't know about you, but as far as I'm concerned, Knight Shroud (cool name) had valid points of argument. A major falling out between the two most powerful being in Equestria, and now one of them has been deposed and banished to a lunar prison. Celestia has done so without ant explanation or public statement, and ponies are rightfully concerned as to 1) What happened, 2) What do they need to be concerned about. This situation is technically Celestia's fault, to an extent those around her, for not calming the public nerves about the major events.
I mean, we the readers know why Celestia's reclusive, and that she deposed Luna with good cause, and that the exile to the moon was the act of the Elements, not her. But, they don't know that, and they're acting to the best of their ability with the information at hoof. I'm sure there are ponies who are more "wait-and-see" about things, in fact that's probably most ponies. But, that doesn't mean that Knight Shroud's concerns are overblown, or that he's simply being a demagogue. This was a lot of the better premise of Batman v. Superman.
I applaud Tarb for not reducing Shroud to a simple antagonist. He was portrayed very much as the voice of reasonable concern. He was afraid of Celestia, but was brave enough to stand up to her in a face-to-face. He has the qualities that most poor villains lack, conviction, and courage.
Imma tell you right now, I like Knight Shroud. He gets instant "you da man" points in my book.
He was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, he was willing to get back on the same page with her, if she would only give him something to work with.
The pressure however, the confrontation with the questions that burned her, was enough to push her the the snapping point. And snap she did.
In a burst of energy, a retaliation for the compacting stress of the public inquisition, she lashes out blindly and demolishes the square, along with whatever ponies are unlucky enough to be caught-up in the mess. We get no indication that anypony is fatally wounded in the event, if many are injured, so there's nothing that can't theoretically be forgiven. So there's that for a bright side. Which leaves us where we were introduced to the chapter, with Celestia striding among the ruins of her own making.
With a quick jump, we find the narration shifts to the splendorous Pegasus metropolis of Timbucktu. Which we first learned about n the IDW comics. I like this, glad to see older cities recognized. Some of you may know I've made ancient cities a particular device of mine. I don;t remember everything off the top of my head about what we learned of the city in the comic, but it's one of a number of city-states that fell to the onslaught of the Changeling swarm.
Tarb does a great job of giving us a brief exposition of the city, basically one the the ancient wonders of the world, with the noble King Orion at the helm. They have a thriving and expanding economy, the Griffinstone Kingdom is making headway into the trading loop, and much prosperity is on the horizon for the jewel of the skies.
"But not for long..." The Changeling queen chuckles to herself.
Some quick conclusion thoughts:
I was a little surprised by Tarb's timeline placement. What he does here, is establish that the events of the Alicorn's rise to power happens within the lifetime of the founders of Equestria. I suspect that this is because the founding ~somehow~ incites the manifestation of the Alicorns, as we know how surprised everypony was when they were discovered, and bore a stunning resemblance to the icons of the Equestria banner.
My own HC puts at least a few hundred years, between the founding, and the arrival of the Alicorns. So, coming from that perspective, it was quite unanticipated when I realized what Tarb had done here. I suspect he's set this condition for particular reasons, and I'm curious as to how things will now play out.
As a fellow amateur writer, I know the feeling I get when I'm crafting a scene, or putting ideas together, and everything just hits on all cylinders, and comes out like I'm writing the next Silmarilion. That I think, Tarb might have felt composing this chapter.
When Tarb writes great, it's great. To mean, I'll rank this up there as one of the best written chapters in Tarb's collection. Everything in here just clicked for me like a fine-tuned machine. The emotion, the rationale of characters, the precedent, the pacing, the characterization. Even the dialog, which Tarb has admitted before to being one of his weaker dimensions, was absolutely on point.
The cliffhanger end, with the siege of Timbucktu, is a great pagus for us to leave off, and pick up in the next installment.
You see this Tarb? You see what happens when you give me the juice for a review?
The Magnificent Machine, (now fully restored to operational status
), is exceedingly pleased with this chapter. You will not be destroyed with finger missiles and belly lasers. Today.
7908694 You stupid monkey!
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Full response coming, love the review, but just a quick memo, the ruins Tia was walking through was of Timbucktu, not where she confronted Knight Shroud. Her reason to blame herself for the latter is because her emotional state (and being away from Luna in addition to Element blowback) has her magic and physical health on the fritz so she wasn't around to try and help. This is evident in the uncontrollable magic bursts she's been having that tore up her room and tossed Knight Shroud through a stand. Confusion is understandable and I'll throw in a setting label so we know where we are
7909042 OOooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Derp, wasn't paying attention.
7908658 Most likely when her magic comes under her control as she was able to know where and when to send Twilight in order to get the other element bearers.
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I almost had the feeling when I first read him, Knight Shroud was kind of a Jab at the "Lunar Republic" idea in the Brony community, portraying Celestia as the tyrant for banishing her sister, when people don't know the truth of the matter.
But you raise a good point in that they have a justifiable reason to be afraid of Celestia. As I said in a post long ago, it harkens back to the comparison between the Cadmus arc in Justice League, where Earth created a contingency plan against the JU in case they would ever go rogue. It almost makes me wonder if Equestria as a whole has such a plan in case the Alicorns DO, considering how in the comics it was so EASY for the mane six to do a complete 180 of their morals in issues 43-44.
Harly Kurp!
7909162 Yeah, I got a bit of the "Night's Rebellion" sorta vibe too, and I thought that's where it was going for a bit. And maybe it still will, given how things in the square ended.
Well, we know that in proper canon, we have little to fear of things getting that bad, without somepony in place to save the day. But I'm sure there are any number of fics on this site that deal with exactly that.
If the show were a bit more mature, I think a concept like a Lunar Republic, or some kind of breakaway Luna loyalty faction would have some real legs, and go very far.
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So, in other words, as far as she knows at this point, Celestia will never see her sister again...
No wonder she's depressed. While Chrysalis will, most likely help her overcome this depression, I suspect she needs hope to truly begin to recover.
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And unlike many victims of depression, Celestia has one thing to remind her what is worth fighting for, and what will always help her back on to her feet in the end: Friends and the people who love her. :)
Nice to see you expanding on Bridge! Equestria's past. Looking forward to reading more.
Question; if this story is the past… Will King Caesar be in this story?
7913876 Tarb already said the events of this story take place after Caesar's arrival and departure. The prequel starring Caesar will air at a later date.
And this chapter begins with Celestia wondering the ruins of a proud pegasus city...
And I like how vulnerable she feels here. She's been through a Trauma Conga Line and it really shows, but without one ounce of made up detail.
Really good work.
We see next she's currently staying with Princess Platinum (glad the founders are still alive here despite Discord's usurpation, I remember one story had him murder them all, which doesn't fit Discord AT ALL, though this also shows Discord's reign was relatively short. I've seen fanfics have it's length range from days to a thousand years) ...destroyed another room of hers.
This is apparently becoming frequent and due to out of control magic resulting from the backlash of the Elements being used by her against Luna...and likely emotional trauma. I like this, because it shows the Elements CAN be used potentially by one, but they SHOULDN'T be, as that is not their nature.
Also like the Platinum is totally chill about that.
What doesn't go well is Celestia learning of the Siren's arrival, rampage, and defeat by Starswirl...keyword LEARNING. As in never knew it happened. She naturally doesn't take this well.
Starswirl tries to downplay it, but Celestia is hard on herself. I like Starswirl's reasons: Celestia was in no condition to fight the Sirens. Her emotional state was compromised and in that condition, she'd probably just make them STRONGER with her current negative emotions. But Celestia isn't thinking rationally, she only sees her own failure. Which fits the state of mind she's in.
This is interrupted by Ardent Sentry, a member of the Hurricane Guard and likely an ancestor of another familiar Sentry we're all aware of.
Starswirl decides to once more leave Celestia out of this matter, given she's in no condition for ANOTHER threat.
This doesn't work, despite Ardent's best efforts and Starswirl's desire to keep it from her.
And then we see a pony named Knight Shroud trying to start a rebellion against her for banishing Luna...and despite her attempts, Celestia's magical issues and pain get the better of her and make things worse by sending him flying. That's...not going to go over well... I also like that Knight Shroud has reasonable reasons for believing what he does. He's not a straw pony. That's good writing.
And we then cut away to Timbucktu, which in this reality is the greatest Pegasi city in the world, and soon to be an economic center...or would have, except for Chrysalis deciding to take aim at it.
This gives Chrysalis choosing to attack it more meaning than 'it was there'. It's a beacon, an economic center, and cultural center. It's not only an important kingdom onto itself, it's a step towards destroying Equestria. I like that because it shows the stand out thing about Chrysalis: at her base power, she's the weakest of Grogar's disciples. She isn't a Lightning Bruiser like Tirek, she isn't a reality warper like Discord, she's not capable of fighting both Princesses and throwing a kingdom into the distant future like Sombra.
But she's SMART. Probably the smartest out of all of them. Which is why I love her.
Holy Throne.... how did I not see this story in my feed?!
Pretty cool like what you're doing with Celestia and the direction looks pretty good with the changelings being what may get her out of her funk.
Also I can't really make videos but I think I found an opening that may fit with this little side story.
I’d like to get some of the bridge Characters involved in my Super Fanfic though i might need help.
I've been meaning to read this for a while now. Sorry it took so long. I like what I'm reading so of course. Lol. But just curious. Is Night Shroud speaking out against Celestia out of fear? Or is he trying to rally everypony against her out of love for Luna as well?
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Probably a bit of both, but mostly former. He doesn't know the full situation and is fearing the worst, while demanding information.